Comb.



E. W. GROVE.

COMB.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12, 1915.

1,169,028, Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

I Edzdiib @T'ove THE COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH ,c0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

EDWIN *W. GROVE, or srr. *LoUIs, Mrss'oUnI.

cor/1B,

used in the I orclinarymanner t o straighten "or smooth the hair, 1s galso instrumental in cleanlng the -l1a1r and the "scalp. The scalp and hair cleaning function of the 'eomb is discharged =by an "absorbent i'i'iedlum which is associated with the? teeth antl which takes up moisture and oily imatter.

The objects of the invention are to'provide a simple, durable and practical construction of comb' of the type "stated iancl to :provide an improved relation between the permanent parts of 'the comb aand "the :ab-

sorbent scalp and hair cle'aning =medium whereby the latter may be readily and quickly removed or'replacedfrelative to said permanent parts, Wheneverthe occasion may recxlire. a

nembodrment of the inventlon isiillustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein t Figure l is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of a comb in Which the features of the invention are incorporated; Fig. 2 is, an end elevation of the comb showing certain parts thereof in disassembledrelation; Fig. 3 is an end elevationof the comb with thejparts thereof completely assembled; Fign is a cross-sectional view olthc comb; Fig. 5 is adetail perspective view of an element which forms thebackof the comb and is removable from the comb for a purpose which Will appear as the description proceeds; Fig. ,6 is a-detail perspective view, looking at the inner side of an end portion of oneof the halves'or members of the comb body; Fig. 7fis'a detail sectional View on the 'line' 77-of Fig; 1; and Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view showing the two halvesor members of "the comb body With the comb back removed therefrom and in positions, relative to one another, to permit of the removal or insertion of the absorbent hair and scalp cleaning medium. I

Similar characters of reference designate Specification of Iietters'Patent.

PatentedJ air 18, 1916.

inpplication filed"January 12,1915". 3 Serial Nd. ijsle.

corresponding parts throughout i the several views.

The improved comb includes a body of metal or other suitable 'material composed of tWo members; '01- halve's {1 connected by hinges 2 arranged "at appropriate intervals lengthwise of the comb and having their leavessecured byri-vts or otherwiseto'the 'inner' faces of *tlie halves 1. -The members f1 are formed below the hin'ges2 with teeth *3 similar in -outline and arrangenrentto ordinary "comb teeth. The comb is completed'by a bare: which forms' the 'combback *andan absorbent element 5, preferably'composed of feltfivhichisfitted between and is securely clamped by the "members 1. The absorbent element 5 *is "formed "with teethlikeprojections GWhich correspond in niimber an'd arrangement to theteeth 3 but are slightly Wider and longer than said teeth in order to project beyond the edges and points of the teeth 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The members 1 are coinposed ofsiiitable r'e'silient material "having the requisite strength for the purposes in view, spring "steel being the material preferably emp loyed; Those portions of the members 1 below the hinges '2 and Which are *formed with the teeth '3, have a nearly parallel, though very slightly taperin relation, as clearly shown in Fig. 'l, While the upper portions of the members 1, 6., "the portions of said members above the hinges 2, have an upwardly flaring relationjand are suitably eXtended to provide spring leaves 7 for engagement by the bar 4. The bar a has the portion 4 thereof which is formed to "engage between the leaves 7 of downwardly tapering cross section, as clearly shown in Fig.2, and above its said engaging portion 4* and at opposite sides thereof is provided With longitudinal grooves 8, the

and below the hinges 2 with confronting in-turne d flanges 10", which; facilitate. the assemblage 'of'the absorbent element 5 and serve to center said element relatively to said members. The teeth Shave a slightly channeled cross section, as shown in Fig. 6, and at their sides are provided with a relatively large number of small, somewhatsharply pointed, inwardly directed prongs 11. Said teeth are also provided,at their apices with a single, somewhat sharply pointed, inwardly directed prong 12. a

In order to fit the absorbent element 5 between the members 1, it is necessary that the bar 4 should be disengaged from said members 1. The assemblage of the absorbent element 5 is efiected by moving the members 1 about their hinges 2 to spread their lower vteeth-carrying portions, the flaring relation of the spring leaves 7 permitting such manipulation of the members 1. When the teeth-carrying portions ofthe members 1 have been sufficiently spread, the absorbent element 5 is introduced between said mem bers, as shown in Fig. 8, the inner edge of said absorbent element ultimately engaging against the hinges 2 and the teeth-like projections 6 of said absorbent element engaging symmetrically between the teeth 3.

Thereafter, the tooth-carrying portions of the members 1 are'pressed together to engage their prongs 11 and 12 against the absorbent element 5, and while the manual pressure on the tooth-carrying portions of the members 1 is maintained, the bar 4 is assembled. To assemble the bar 4 it is first alined with the space between the leaves 7 and it is thereupon moved into said space, the wedge-like form of its engaging portion 4 readily permitting of the introduction of the bar 4 between the leaves 7. The movement of the bar between the leaves 7 and toward the hinges 2, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, is continued until the marginal flanges 9 of the leaves 7 engage in the grooves 8 consequent to the inwardly springing action of said leaves. This relation is shown in Fig. 3. When the bar 4 has been thus assembled between the upper portions of the comb body, its upward or out ward displacement from said body is prevented by the engagement of the flanges 9 in the grooves 8, as will be obvious. During the insertion of the bar 4 between the leaves 7, the said leaves are sprung apart to some extent whereby an inward springing of the teeth 3 is effected, such inward springing of said teeth 3 causing the teeth to engage the projections 6 of the absorbent element 5 with secure clamping pressure,

which clamping pressure is maintained so '3, Fig.3 showing the leaves 7 with the bar 4 engaged therebetween and spread apart to a greater extent than in Fig. 2 which shows the relation of said leaves when the bar 4 is removed. In this connection it is to be observedthat the; flanges 10 while of suflicient depth to properly center the absorbent element 5 relatively to the comb body are sufiiciently short to permit a slight inward springing of the teeth 3"consequent to the introduction of the bar 4 between the leaves 7. r

lVhen it is desired to remove the absorbent element from the comb body, it is necessary to remove the bar'4 from between the leaves 7. Such removal of the bar 4 is conveniently accomplished by sliding the bar longitudinally of the comb body, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the bar having for this purpose a suitably located finger piece 13. The flanges 9 by their engagement in the grooves 8 constitute guides for the bar 4 during its sliding movement, to efiect its disengagement from the comb body, but the leaves 7 and the flanges 9 engage said bar with sufficient friction to prevent any accidental displacement thereof. lVhen the bar 4 has beenremoved from the comb body in the manner explained, the members 1 are manipulated into the position shown in Fig. 8 and the absorbent element 5 is thereupon removed from said members. I

The comb is used in the same manner as anyordinary comb to smooth and straighten the hair, and when so used, the projecting portions of the absorbent element 5 absorb oily matter from the hair and scalp and take up particles of dust or dandrufi' and the like. The comb may, however, be applied to the scalp with greater pressure than an ordinary comb, owing to the softnessof the engaging surfaces provided by the teeth-like it is unfit or undesirable for further use,

said element may be removed in the manner lot described and a new and clean one substituted. One advantage of the construction disclosed is that the absorbent element 5 may be made of felt having sufiicient body to permit of its being readily cleaned by water or alcohol or any other suitable medium. After a soiled felt has been cleaned, it is dried, and when dried, is ready for further use. In this way, the efiicie-nt life lot the absorbent element 5 may be rendered serving as the back ofxthe comb, it has several advantagesyin the first place, it gives the comb a neat and attractive appearance;

in the second place, in combination with the leaves 7 it affords a convenient hand-grip by which the comb maybe manip-alatedspin the third place, it insures ofthe requisite balance of the comb; and finally, it provides a reinforcement for the members 1 and'prevents any denting or deformation-oi said members. I i i i i I The prongs l1 and 12, While suiiiciently long to insunethe secure and reliable retention of the absorbent element. 5,, when the back 4; is assembled, are at the same time sufficiently short to be buried throughout substantially their whole, depth in the soft material of the element 5 consequent to the clamping pressure exerted by the teetl-l In this way, the spaces between said prongs are substantially closed by the absorbent element 5, and consequently there isno liability of the prongs catching against the strands of hair. i

The construction described is highly efiicient for the purposes in view, strong and durable, and at the same time is simply con: structed and may be inexpensively manufactured.

Having fully described my invention, I claim l. A comb comprising-a comb body having companion halves articulated formovement toward and away from one another and each provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, an absorb ent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body and having teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and means for causing said companion halves of said comb body to exert a clamping action on said absorbent element. I

2. A comb comprising a comb body havingcompanion halves articulated for movement toward and awaygfrom one another and each provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to combteeth, anabsor ent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves ofthe comb body and having teeth-l1ke pro ections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and means for teeth, and means removably associated with said spring leaves for springing thesame and causing said companion halves of said comb spring leaves, an absorbent element proportioned to be'iitted between the halves of the comb body and having teeth-like projections correspond ng in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond :said

thereby causing said teeth to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element.

i. A comb comprisinga comb body having companion halves, hinges connecting so said halves and arranged between the inner faces and substantially below the back edges thereof, each of said companion halves b ingprovided with, teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, the portions of said halves above said hinges providing spring leaves, an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body andhaving teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement .100 to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and a bar removably fitted between said spring leaves and forming the baclr of the comb, said bar when fitted between said 11.05 leaves springing the same and thereby causing said teeth to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element.

5. A comb comprising a comb body having companion halves, hinges connecting said halves and arranged between the inner faces and substantially below the back edges thereof, .each ot said companion halves being provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, the portions .115 of said halves above said hinges providing spring leaves,.an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body and having teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement .120 to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and a bar having awedge-shaped cross-section and having a conformable wedge fit between said leaves, said bar when fitted between said leaves forming the back of the comb, and springing said leaves to thereby cause said teeth to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element,

6. A comb comprising a comb body having companion halves, hinges connecting said halves and arranged between the inner faces and substantially below the back edges thereof, each of said companion halves being provided withteeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, the'portions of said halves above said hinges providing spring leaves, an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body and having'teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and a bar having a we dgeshaped cross-section and having a conformable wedge fit between said leaves, said bar when fitted between said leaves forming the back of the comb, and springing said leaves to thereby cause said teeth to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element, said leaves having in turned flanges along their longitudinal edges and said bar having longitudinal grooves extending from end to end thereof and in which said flanges engage.

7. A comb comprising a comb body having companion halves, hinges connecting said halves and arranged between the inner faces and substantially below the back edges thereof, each of said companion halves being provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, theportions of said halves above said hinges providing spring leaves, an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body and having teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and means removably associated with said spring leaves for springing the same and thereby causing said 'teeth} to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element, said teeth being provided with inwardly projecting prongs to grip and secure said absorbent element. j

8. A comb comprising a comb body having companion halves, hinges connecting said halves and arranged between the inner faces and substantially below the back edges thereof, each of said companion halves being provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, the portions of said halves above said hinges providing spring leaves, an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body and having teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and a bar removably fitted between said spring leaves and forming the back of the comb, said bar when fitted between said leaves springing the same and thereby causing said teeth to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element, said teeth being provided with inwardly projecting prongs to grip and secure said absorbent element.

9. A comb comprising a comb body having companion halves articulated for movement toward and away from one another and each provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves ofthe comb body and having teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area wvhereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and a comb back removably associated with said halves and operative to cause said halves to exert a clamping action on said absorbent element.

1.0. A comb comprising a comb body having companion halves articulated for movement toward and away from one another and each provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body and having teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and a comb back removably associated with said halves and operative to cause said halves to exert a clamping action on said absorbent element, said teeth being provided with inwardly projecting prongs to grip and secure said absorbent element.

11. A comb comprising a comb body having companion halves articulated for movement toward and away from one another and each provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body and having teethlike projections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and means for causing said companion halves of said comb body to exert a clamping action on said absorbent element, said halves having inturned flanges at their ends to center said absorbent element relatively to said comb body.

12. As an element of a comb having an exposed absorbent element, a holder for said absorbent element comprising a comb body having companion halves, hinges connecting said halves and arranged between the inner faces and substantially below the back edges thereof, each of said companion halves being provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, the portions of said halves above said hinges providingspring leaves and a bar having a wedge-shaped cross-section and having a conformable wedge fit between said leaves, said bar when fitted between said leaves forming the back of the comb and springing said leaves to thereby cause said teeth to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element.

13. As an element of a comb having an exposed absorbent element, a holder for said absorbent element comprising a comb body having companion halves articulated for movement toward and away from one an other and each provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, and a comb back removably associated with said halves and operative to cause said halves to exert a clamping action on said absorbent element.

14. A comb comprising a comb body having companion halves, hinges connecting said halves and arranged parallel to and below the back edges thereof, each of said companion halves being provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, the portions of said halves above said hinges providing spring leaves, an absorbent element proportioned to be fitted between the halves of the comb body and having teeth-like projections corresponding in number and arrangement to said teeth but of slightly greater area whereby to project slightly beyond said teeth, and a comb back,

removably associated with said spring leaves and operative to spring said leaves and thereby cause said teeth to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element.

15. As an element of a comb having an exposed absorbent element, a holder for said absorbent element comprising a comb body having companion halves, hinges connecting said halves and arranged parallel to and below the back edges thereof, each of said companion halves being provided with teeth formed and arranged similarly to comb teeth, the portions of said halves above said hinges providing spring leaves, and a comb back removably associated with said spring leaves and operative to spring said leaves and thereby cause said teeth to exert clamping pressure upon said absorbent element.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

W. V. CURRAN, F. N. HAMMER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

